I haven’t lived in Kuala Lumpur for more than 20 years. During CNY, I went back to my late grandparents place. Setapak is about 10km from central K.L and it is the place of my childhood.
It was a very sentimental time as I step in.
I notice, on one side of dinning hall wall was a pair of pictures of my late great grandparents.
If it wasn’t for my late great grand mother and father. I would not be here. If my great grand mother did not meet and marry my great grand father, my grand father would not exist and if he did not so wouldn’t my dad. If there’s no dad, there’s no me.
On the other side of the dinning hall was another pair of pictures of my late grand parents.
If it wasn’t for my late grand mother and my late grand father, I won’t be here. If my grand mother did not marry my grand father, my dad would not exist and my mother would not marry my dad and then I would not exist.
At the end of the day, I realised how slim my chances were. I walked away grateful to know I was fearfully and carefully chosen.
Forget the big home or new car.
Don’t bother about that dream job that people envy.
What is making our 1st million?
Just having a shot in life is cool enough.
I’m thankful that God has given me not the assurance of wealth and honor but the assurance of life and life abundantly.
Many did not make it here but we did. So we have to live it.
“In the fear of receiving unconstructive feedback, we missed hearing any that has the constructive ones”
Are you only listening only to feedback you already know is going to be positive? In other words are you only listening to your fans. What about your critics? They may have heaps of unconstructive things to say but in there may be many valuable constructive ones.
When was the last time you are eager to listen and find out what people out there think about you and about your work?
I am proud that I did heaps of Chinese New Year stuff but yet I didn’t get myself stuffed. I think I’m pretty much the same weight as I when I went. How cool is that?
I did come back with a running nose though. So did my son and my helper. And the main culprit is because of air-conditioning at my parent’s place. Having lived in non-airconditioned home here for years, we aren’t so conditioned with 6 consecutive cold nights.
I visited the Butterfly Park, KLCC, Petrosains Discovery Centre, Dino Trek 2, some cousins and some relatives.
I also watched cable TV. I flipped to Discovery channel so often that I came back a bit more concern about the earth. Think we are doing ourselves a big disfavor with our lifestyle. I don’t know how much I can change how I do life but I have greater awareness of the impact of my action to things around me. We are poisoning the very water and air that supports us and also emptying earth’s resources in an alarming rate. If Jesus doesn’t come back to finish it all, I’ll be surprised if we don’t finish it ourselves naturally.
The five things I have changed (hopefully for the better) over the few days…
1) Change the water I drink from cold to warm always
2) Change my value of “Having a cup of coffee” to “Having a cup of tea”
3) Change how I work on my marriage
4) My underwear and clothes
5) Change the way I discipline my kids.
Incidently I disciplined my son today. I caned him (in the calmest state I know how) and it hurt me so much to do it; Not because of the pain but because of his need for correction. I cannot imagine him going on without it. I teared differently this time. I think its a good thing. I hope its a good thing.
It’s a really good 7 days. It’s so good that it’s now almost midnight and I’m not tired.
But goodnight anyway. …. I do miss here. 7 days without internet connection is quite a cool also.
I spent my yesterday at the Singapore Zoo’s new Rainforest Kidzworld. I was alone and I brought back visions of many stuff I can do better.
In the evening, I spent my night at a funeral wake. I was with Mag and I brought back visions of many things we should reduce and let to pass.
This CNY, I will bring with me into the new year, visions of better things and also things to reduce. I know I’ll do well if I keep adding and removing the right things in my lives. I want a better time with the time I have in the new year.
We wish a certain leader in HopeKids who’s born today XX years ago a happy birthday. She is one of the most experienced and longest serving leader in HopeKids. She has 4 kids and yet serves to build the next generation with us with amazing willingless, availability and fervour. She’s a great example for all of us of what a good and faithful servant is all about.
Woke up early this morning to make sure I’m all set for a good time in HopeKids LIVE!. Then I found this video at Sam Luce’s. I have to say this made my day.
Berbatov did his job and Man Utd moves to the top of the table for the first time this season. Consistency always bring teams to the top. Man Utd’s success I believe comes from a strong philosphy.
- Arsene Wenger of Arsenal believes in the young
- Abramovich of Chelsea believes in proven big name signings
- Alex Ferguson Man Utd believes in the young as well as the not so young but proven players * OK, I have to say that Liverpool believes in exotic players with exotic names
Everyone has a role in the team. The young brings enthusiasm and live. The older brings leadership and stability. A leader has to value and lead people differently to put the right types of people in different roles in the team. Consistency is achieved when the whole team is able to play together. And if a players is not able to play together, a good leader is not fearful to re-position them whether within or without the team.
While soccer affects money into the club’s pocket, ministry affects lives of people we are ministering to. Your leadership, team philosophy and values manner tremendously. If not done properly, you’ll see one person affecting many. When one person is not doing their role, the team suffers and their ‘effectiveness to many’ is affected.
Leaders should wisely and diligently because of that.
Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be open to you
Ask = What are you asking?
Seek and you’ll find = Are you believing and taking action?
Knock for the door to open = Are you taking hold and receiving what you’ve been given? In other words, don’t you want to open it?
Leaders, having faith ain’t enough. To make your calling and election sure, you have to add things.
2 Peter 1:5 says to make every effort to add to your faith these 7 things
-) “Goodness” is found in many things, you have to see it. Practice looking at bad things or bad people in your life. Spot the good. You can do that for these things, you can do it for anything.
-) “Knowledge” is biblical knowledge as well as truth outside the bible (like the skill how to make your marriage work). It is also applied knowledge which God gives us called wisdom.
-) “Self control” is exercised during your daily discipline of prayer, exercise, fasting. How about Morning club? anyone?
-) “Perseverance” is not quiting things God called you to do. This one… hmm I suggest just heck it through. God is with you.
-) “Godliness” is how you are becoming more like Jesus… wear a robe or cloth yourself with righteousness. One works better than the other, guess which one?
-) “Brotherly Kindness” ….. join a care group and love your church mates even if they are unlovable. Warning: Most of them are unlovable… including yourself so they have to love you too ……….. See how it works? God’s a genius.
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